Triggering device for switchgear

ABSTRACT

Triggering device for switchgear, characterized by an oscillating shaft 2 acting as a control unit and cooperating with an adjustable transmission unit consisting of two component parts 11, 7 and connected to the contact 12, this unit being accessible from outside without dismantling to enable it to assume several easily recognizable positions, at the same time keeping the dimensions the same as those of non-adjustable devices. Applied to the control of the travel of moving parts in machinery.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,721,782 Roumagnac 5]March 20, 11973 54] TRIGGERING DEVICE FOR 3,512.422 5/1970 Aslan ..200 47 x SWITCHGEAR 3,546,954 l2/l970 Ustin ..200/47 X Inventor: Michel Roumagnac, Angouleme, Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer France Assistant Examiner-William J. Smith [73] Assignee: La Telemecanique Electrique, Nan- Anomeyflwilliam A- Dmckef terre, France [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: April 17, 1972 Y Triggering device for switchgear, characterized by an [21] Appl. No.: 244,385 oscillating shaft 2 acting as a control unit and cooperating with an adjustable transmission unit con- 30 Foreign Application priority Data sisting of two component parts 11, 7 and connected to t the contact 12, this unit being accessible from outside April 21, 1971 France ..7l l4l 19 without dismantling to enable it to assume Several easily recognizable positions, at the same time keeping [52] US. Cl ..200/47, 74/568 the dimensions the Same as those of nomadjustable [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lh 3/16 devices. [58] Field of Search ..200/47; 74/567, 568, 116, 559,

' 74/107 Applied to the control of the travel of moving parts in machinery. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 3,252,345 5/1966 Russell ..200/47 2 r l I J V 2 19 R 22 L\ a 13 4l PATENTEDHARZOIHYS SHEET 2 BF 3 wwa FIGS

PATENTEBmzo ma SHEET 3 0F 3 FIG. 6

al imwi FIG.7

TRIGGERING DEVICE FOR SWITCIIGEAR The invention relates to a triggering device for switchgear of the type used to control the travel of moving parts in machinery; in particular, the device covered by the invention relates to a triggering device comprising an adjustable transmission unit positioned between a unit controlling the instrument, worked by the moving part to be controlled, and the contact which does the switching so that the latter is optionally done in one of two or in two opposite directions of movement of the moving part.

Instruments are already known the construction of which makes it possible to select the modes of operation just mentioned, by means of a set of interchangeable cams or else by making use of a shaft fitted with cams which are brought into operation by axial movement of the shaft.

In this kind of instrument, use has to be made of costly and complicated means which may involve partial dismantling of the instrument and have the disadvantage of requiring large dimensions.

In all known devices, it is moreover impossible to ascertain from external examination which triggering direction has been selected.

This disadvantage may even become a source of error when the type of contact used has a short differential switching travel and is enclosed in a sealed box which makes sound examination impracticable.

The aim of the invention is to provide a triggering device for switchgear wherein the control unit worked by a moving part is an oscillating shaft cooperating with an adjustable transmission unit connected to the contact, and wherein the adjustable transmission unit is accessible from the outside without dismantling to enable it to assume several easily recognizable positions, at the same time keeping the dimensions the same as those of non-adjustable devices.

Moreover, steps will be taken for the ease of access which enables the mode of operation to be selected to leave no possibility of inadvertent handling.

Finally, arrangements will be made for the change of modeof operation to bemade more difficult, even impossible, when the control unit worked by the moving part to be controlled is in one of its working states and when, consequently, the contact is in one of its switching states.

In accordance with the invention, this result is obtained due to the fact that the transmission unit includes at least two separate component parts, the first of which cooperates with the control unit and the second of which communicates with the outside, that the two component parts are connected to each other by a coupling which allows the first component part to move towards the contact without taking the second with it, while the second component part enables the respective positions of the cooperating portions of the control unit and the first component part to be altered without producing any movement of the latter towards the contact, a braking unit being interposed between the control unit and the second component part to brake the latter when the control unit is not in the at rest" position.

In accordance with another peculiarity of the invention, the two component parts, with a generally cylindrical revolving shape, are positioned coaxially one inside the other and are subjected to the effect of a common sprung unit which applies the second component part against a fixed portion of the instrument box, and the first component part against a portion of the control unit.

Other peculiarities will emerge from a reading of the specification and a study of the figures which show:

FIG. 1, a perspective view of the switchgear,

FIG. 2, a view from above of an instrument, slightly modified to show the access to the selector wheel and the position of the section planes,

in FIG. 3, a longitudinal section of the head of the instrument through the plane XX,

in FIG. 4, a cross section through the plane YY',

in FIG. 5, a view from above of two of the component parts making up the unit which transmits the movement,

in FIG. 6, a section along XX of a first variant,

in FIG. 7, a section along XX of a second variant.

The switchgear as a whole, which can be seen in FIG. 1, takes the form of a main body 1 on which a head 4 is fixed which, for manufacturing reasons, is made removable by means of screws 23, see FIG. 2. A portion of a control unit 2 protrudes from this head; this may be a cylindrical shaft, and on it is fixed a control lever 3 which moves in a plane when it is subjected to the effect of a moving part which moves in said plane, in two opposite directions.

By means of a wheel 5 which is accessible from outside, the mode of switching can be altered, i.e., the contact can be worked in one of the two directions, or in both the directions just mentioned.

FIG. 2 also shows the main component parts which have just been described, from a slightly different angle, which shows the use of reference marks 21 and 22 which, when they coincide, unmistakably indicate the direction of movement of the moving part which controls the switching in a given mode of operation.

FIG. 2 shows, e.g., that the contact is set for both directions of movement of the moving part.

In FIG. 3, the control unit 2 takes the general form of a shaft articulated in the head 4 and which can oscillate on either side of a median position. The push-button 12 of the contact to be triggered is in the main body 1.

The transmission unit is the one which has to make the connection between the shaft 2 and the contact, at the same time allowing the mode of operation to be selected. This transmission unit is in fact made up of three cylindrical bodies 11, 13 and 7 encased in one another. Of these component parts, the first presses the top of its flange 15 against a flattened portion of the shaft, by means of a spring 14 which pushes back a return unit 13 an intermediate portion 18 of which acts on the bottom part of said flange.

At the other end, the spring 14 tends to push back the last component part 7 which takes the form of a bowl fitted with a wheel 5 part of which communicates with the outside by means of an opening 19 in the head 4. As we have already seen, this wheel bears a reference mark 21 which works in conjunction with a reference mark 22 on the head 4.

The component part 7 is articulated in a housing in the main body 1 and bears on the top surface 20.

By means of a pinning system 9,10 the component parts 11 and 7 rotate together but are translated separately.

We shall also see how the return unit 13 and the component part 11 are made to rotate together, so as either to move downwards together or separately according to the mode of operation selected.

In this connection, reference should be made to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, where the first component part 11 and its flange 15 can be seen. The latter is, in fact, obtained from a ring with part of its circumference cut away, which gives its top surface a compass of 180. This flange is housed in a clearance made in the top part of the return unit so as only to leave a top portion 16 the compass of which is such that any relative angular movement of the two component parts 13 and 11 is prevented.

FIG. 3 clearly shows that the top surface of the flange 15 is on the same level as the top surface of the portion 16. It can therefore be said that these two surfaces bear simultaneously on the flattened portion of the shaft 2, which is limited by two edges 8 and 6 forming two symmetrical cams.

FIG. 5 shows in dots and dashes the respective positions that may be assumed by said edges when the transmission unit as a whole is in one of four possible positions, positions 8, 8' and 6, 6' corresponding to the mode of operation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In this mode of operation, the oscillation of the shaft 2 causes the flange to move downwards irrespective of the direction of angular movement of the shaft 2 since both edges still rest on it. The spring 14 then acts as a return spring to the position shown in FIG. 4.

In one of the modes of operation corresponding to edge positions 8", 8' and 6", 6", we see that the downward movement of a single edge acts on the flange l5 and consequently on the component part 11 and the contact rod 12, so that switching is only obtained when there is an angular movement of the shaft in a single direction.

In the other direction, it is the top portion 16 of the return unit 13 which is responsible for returning the shaft 2 to the median rest position.

We therefore see that one of the three possible modes of operation is obtained very simply by turning the wheel 5 through one or several quarter-circles.

It will also be seen that the openings 19 extend down to the base 20 on which the head 4 is fixed.

This allows easy access to the wheel 5 which, moreover, is supported coaxially by a bearing surface 41 in the head providing the necessary seal.

As we have already seen, the marking of the modes of operation is provided by making the reference marks 21 and 22 coincide, while the position can be securely held by means of a ratchet mechanism such as the one made up of the ball 33, the spring 32 and several housings such as 30 shown in FIG. 7.

One of the peculiarities of the working of the device shown in FIG. 3 comes from the fact that whatever angular position the shaft 2 is in, other than the median rest position, the spring 14 is more tightly compressed. The effect of this is to apply the bottom part of the wheel 5 hard against the surface 20 of the body which makes it practically impossible for the component part 7 to rotate when there is any kind of switching state.

This automatic locking, which is one of the advantages of the device, can be strengthened by suitable treatment of the bearing surface of the wheel 5 or that 20 of the body.

Alternatively, this can be complemented by mechanical locking of the type represented in FIG. 7 by the ball 34 and the cavity 31. This latter device simultaneously ratches and locks.

In another kind of embodiment shown in FIG. 6, we see how the component part 7 can be put in position by means of an auxiliary rotary unit 26 which comprises a screwdriver slot 27 and a conic toothed wheel 25 engaging with a second toothed wheel 24 borne by the component part 11. This auxiliary unit is accessible through an opening 40 in the head 4.

This component part 26, provided with a suitable opening, could just as well be positioned on the same side as the shaft part 2 bearing the control lever 3.

What we claim is:

1. Triggering device for switchgear wherein the control unit worked by a moving part is an oscillating shaft cooperating with an adjustable transmission unit connected to the contact and wherein the adjustable transmission unit is accessible from outside so that switching is done optionally in one of two or in the two opposite directions of movement of the moving part, characterized in that the transmission unit comprises at least two component parts 11, 7 of which the first ll cooperates with the control unit 2 and of which the second 7 communicates with the outside through an opening 19, 40 in the instrument, the two component parts being connected to each other by a coupling 10, 9 allowing the first component part to move towards the contact 12 without taking the second with it, while the second component part 7 allows the respective positions of the cooperating parts 8, 6, 15 of the control unit and the first component part to be altered without causing the latter to move towards the contact 12, a unit (14 or 32 respectively being interposed between the control unit and the second component part to brake the latter when the control unit is not in the at rest position.

2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the two component parts 11, 7 which have a generally cylindrical revolving shape, are positioned axially inside each other and are subjected to the effect of a common sprung unit 14 which applies the second component part 7 against a fixed portion 20 of the box of the instrument, and a portion of the front surface 15 of the first component part 11 against two symmetrical cams 6, 8 on the control unit 2.

3. Device in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the fixed portion of the box is represented by the surface 20 of the main body 1 containing the contact 12 on which a removable head 4 is mounted, comprising the control 2, transmission 11, 13, 7 and braking 14, 32, 33 units.

4. Device in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the head 4 comprises three openings 19 extending down to the fixing surface 20 and has a bearing surface 41 which limits the axial movement of the second component part 7 and provides a seal.

5. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the braking unit is a spring 32 positioned between two balls 34, 33 respectively cooperating with cavities 31, 30 in the control unit 2 and the second component part 7.

6. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the braking unit 14 applies the first component with a toothed wheel 24 engaging with a second toothed wheel 25 borne by an auxiliary adjustment unit 26 accessible through an opening 40 which serves as a bearing for it. 

1. Triggering device for switchgear wherein the control unit worked by a moving part is an oscillating shaft cooperating with an adjustable transmission unit connected to the contact and wherein the adjustable transmission unit is accessible from outside so that switching is done optionally in one of two or in the two oppOsite directions of movement of the moving part, characterized in that the transmission unit comprises at least two component parts 11, 7 of which the first 11 cooperates with the control unit 2 and of which the second 7 communicates with the outside through an opening 19, 40 in the instrument, the two component parts being connected to each other by a coupling 10, 9 allowing the first component part to move towards the contact 12 without taking the second with it, while the second component part 7 allows the respective positions of the cooperating parts 8, 6, 15 of the control unit and the first component part to be altered without causing the latter to move towards the contact 12, a unit (14 or 32 respectively being interposed between the control unit and the second component part to brake the latter when the control unit is not in the ''''at rest'''' position.
 2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the two component parts 11, 7 which have a generally cylindrical revolving shape, are positioned axially inside each other and are subjected to the effect of a common sprung unit 14 which applies the second component part 7 against a fixed portion 20 of the box of the instrument, and a portion of the front surface 15 of the first component part 11 against two symmetrical cams 6, 8 on the control unit
 2. 3. Device in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the fixed portion of the box is represented by the surface 20 of the main body 1 containing the contact 12 on which a removable head 4 is mounted, comprising the control 2, transmission 11, 13, 7 and braking 14, 32, 33 units.
 4. Device in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the head 4 comprises three openings 19 extending down to the fixing surface 20 and has a bearing surface 41 which limits the axial movement of the second component part 7 and provides a seal.
 5. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the braking unit is a spring 32 positioned between two balls 34, 33 respectively cooperating with cavities 31, 30 in the control unit 2 and the second component part
 7. 6. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the braking unit 14 applies the first component part 11 against the cams 6, 8 via a return unit 13 which moves between the first and second component parts one front surface 16 of which is complementary to that 15 of the first component part.
 7. Device in accordance with claim 1, and 6, characterized in that the second component part 7 is fitted with a toothed wheel 24 engaging with a second toothed wheel 25 borne by an auxiliary adjustment unit 26 accessible through an opening 40 which serves as a bearing for it. 